This coming Sunday is our annual Baby Dedication Day, so I won’t really be preaching a particular text this week. I think I already know what I want to say, and maybe you’ll see some of that this week.
What’s the x in the title? It stands for an unknown number. I don’t know how many times I have posted a blog with "Random Thoughts." I lost count. I suppose it doesn’t really matter.
I don’t know what will happen on the old blog this week. I may post a lot or just a little. You should feel free, as always, to post what’s on your mind.
What would you tell parents who are holding little babies?
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
You Are Set Free!
Luke 13:10-16
On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
Questions
• Who are all the characters in this story?
• Can you imagine the reaction of the woman?
• Why is the synagogue ruler so upset?
• Why do you think he addresses the people instead of Jesus?
• What is the response of Jesus?
Notice the mixed reaction this event receives: some are humiliated and some are delighted
What else is on your heart/mind this week?
On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
Questions
• Who are all the characters in this story?
• Can you imagine the reaction of the woman?
• Why is the synagogue ruler so upset?
• Why do you think he addresses the people instead of Jesus?
• What is the response of Jesus?
Notice the mixed reaction this event receives: some are humiliated and some are delighted
What else is on your heart/mind this week?
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Give Thanks!
Thanksgiving Week is soon upon us! To help us prepare for this wonderful time of food, family, and fellowship, let’s consider a passage that really gets to the heart of thanksgiving.
Luke 17:11-19
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
What is the main point Jesus makes?
What do you think the mood of Jesus is, as he sees this scene unfold?
Why do you think the 9 did not return? Do you think they were thankful for the healing they received?
What do you think, if any, is the significance of the Samaritan?
For what are you most thankful?
What else do you want to say this week?
Luke 17:11-19
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
What is the main point Jesus makes?
What do you think the mood of Jesus is, as he sees this scene unfold?
Why do you think the 9 did not return? Do you think they were thankful for the healing they received?
What do you think, if any, is the significance of the Samaritan?
For what are you most thankful?
What else do you want to say this week?
Sunday, November 04, 2007
A Worthy Loss
Matthew 10:32-39
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
What is the main point of these verses?
What does Jesus mean when he says that he did not come to bring peace?
In what ways do you think we can love family members more than Jesus? What does it "look" like?
What does it mean to lose your life for the sake of Jesus?
Notice how Jesus uses the word "worthy" in this passage.
What else is on your mind this week?
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
What is the main point of these verses?
What does Jesus mean when he says that he did not come to bring peace?
In what ways do you think we can love family members more than Jesus? What does it "look" like?
What does it mean to lose your life for the sake of Jesus?
Notice how Jesus uses the word "worthy" in this passage.
What else is on your mind this week?
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